Man's Call To Salvation

Born' of a wealthy family in northern Italy In 1538, Charles had opened his heart on the service of the Lord in his youthful years, so that at the tender age of twenty-two he was summoned to Rome by Pope Pius IV who made him a Cardinal, and soon after, Archbishop of Milan.

Among Charles' blessings were being a good teacher and writer. He established schools for the poor,seminaries for the clerics, and trained priests of the oblates community to holiness of life.

His great concern for the poor and the sick made him build hospitals where he personally ministered to them. During a great plague he faithfully attended to the sick and the dying. He was said to have tried feeding some 60,000 poor people every day.

Charles also did penance. He was often seen taking part in public processions with a rope around his neck as a gesture of penance. He deprived himself of all earthly belongings and wore an old patched cloak.

In the year 1584, Charles died at the age of 46 and was canonized a saint in 1610. St. Charles Borromeo is a model of Christian virtue and concern for others.